The Jacksonville Jazz Festival returns to Downtown Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The festival will feature free performances by several award-winning artists at two stages along the St. Johns River including Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, Samara Joy, Eric Roberson with special guest Jeff Bradshaw, Larry Carlton and more.

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The first day of the four-day music festival is the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition presented by Keyboard Connection. The Piano Place at the Florida Theatre on Thursday, May 25. Five piano finalists will compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to perform at the festival on Sunday, May 28. Admission is free with no registration required.

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The Jacksonville Jazz Festival weekend will continue May 26 – 28 featuring free performances at the Swingin’ Stage presented by Publix Super Markets at Riverfront Plaza and the Groovin’ Stage presented by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority at Ford on Bay behind the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. Festival hours are Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, May 28 from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Very limited Premium Experience packages are available for purchase.

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More festivities include the Jazz Jam, Jazz Marketplace, and the Jazz Clinic presented by V101.5. Two Jazz Clinics will take place at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, May 27 with the first one at 10 a.m. featuring The U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors and the second at 1:00 p.m. featuring Reuben Rogers. Both Clinics are free to attend, but registration is required to attend.

Important operational information about this year’s Festival:

This year’s Jacksonville Jazz Festival is cashless. Guests may use all major debit and credit cards, mobile and tap to pay for onsite purchases. Cash payments will not be accepted.

Dedicated secured entry points will be at the following locations:

• Water St. at the corner of Hogan St.
• Independent Dr. next to the VyStar Building, east of Hogan St. and west of Laura St.
• Laura St. south of Bay St.
• Boat and Water Taxi dock at Riverfront Plaza
• Newnan St. at Independent Dr. next to the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront
• Between Newnan St. and Market St. along Bay St.

For street closure information you can visit their website.

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